Wikipedia: “Temporary ordination is the norm among Thai Buddhists. Most young men traditionally ordain for the term of a single rainy season (vassa). Those who remain monks beyond their first vassa typically remain monks for between one and three years, officiating at religious ceremonies in surrounding villages and possibly receiving further education in reading and writing.”

Despite of the visible commercialism and invading western style secularism, monks are very respected persons in Thailand. Even skytrains have seats reserved to the monks, like for elderly and handicapped persons.